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A THESIS PROPOSAL
Presented to the
By
Nguyen Van Son (Smith)
MATE5 Student
August, 2010
Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION
Despite the fact that the notion of general intelligence had long been broadly
accepted by psychologists, it was replaced by multiple intelligences theory proposed by
Gardner (1983). He defines "intelligence as the ability to solve problems or to create
fashion products that are valued within one or more cultural settings". This definition
challenged the traditional psychological view of intelligence as a single capacity that
drives logical and mathematical thought. In the same direction, Gardner (1993)
described intelligence as a bio-psychological potential that could be influenced by
experience, culture, and motivational factors. He defined intelligence as the ability to
solve problems and to fashion products that are culturally valued.
Gardner’s theory (1993) proposes different and autonomous intelligence
capacities that resulting many different ways of knowing, understanding, and learning
about the world to have a156 better understanding of it. There is a constant flow of new
information on how the human brain operates, how it differs in function between
genders, how emotions impact on intellectual acuity, even on how genetics and
environment each impact our children's cognitive abilities. While each area of study has
its merits, Gardner (1993) initially identified seven different kinds of intelligence we
possess.
This has particularly strong ramifications in the classroom, because if we can
identify learners' different strengths concerning these intelligences, it is possible
accommodate different learners' capabilities more successfully based on their
orientation to learning. Gardner (1993) initially proposed there were seven intelligences
that in combinations enable people to understand and to perceive the world and to
express themselves: Linguistic, Spatial (Visual), Logical/Mathematical, Interpersonal,
Intrapersonal, Bodily-Kinesthetic, and Musical. He has more recently added Naturalistic
intelligence and has suggested that an Existential intelligence might exist, but that a
hypothesized Spiritual intelligence does not (Gardner, 1999).
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The aim of the study is to help teachers to take advantage of the benefits of
multiple intelligences in the classroom so that each student will be recognized and
assessed according to their strongest intelligence. Furthermore, the researcher believes
that by applying the multiple intelligences to classroom work and activities, they will
encourage a variety of acceptable understandings and that students will be more
engaged and more successful in their learning and they will experience a more positive
and rewarding educational experience.
Multiple intelligences also enable teachers to engage in authentic assessment practices
because it focus on what a student learns rather than how a student learns.
Chapter 2
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
This chapter presents the review of related literature and studies that have
bearing with the present study. It also includes the research paradigm and definition of
terms.
Multiple Intelligences
Song Lei (2004) cited that in Gardner's theory, the word intelligence is used
in two senses. Intelligence can denote a species-specific characteristic; homo sapiens
is that species which can exercise these eight intelligences. Intelligence can also denote
an individual difference. While all humans possess the eight intelligences, each person
has his/her own particular blend or amalgam of the intelligences.
The following definitions of the intelligences, adapted by White and Blythe (2002), from
the originals presented in Frames of Mind, list occupation, professions, disciplines,
areas and directions an intelligence can take. But these are by no means the only
examples; nor do any of these examples or end states represent the use of any one
intelligence to the exclusion of all others. Individuals are never endowed solely with one
intelligence. Rather, all brain-unimpaired people possess all the intelligences, which
they blend in various ways in the course of creating something that is meaningful or
performing a meaningful role or task.
Linguistic intelligence allows individuals to communicate and make sense of the world
through language. Poets exemplify this intelligence in its mature form. Students who
enjoy playing with rhymes, who pun, who always have a story to tell, who quickly
acquire other languages--including sign language--all exhibit linguistic intelligence.
Musical intelligence allows people to create, communicate, and understand meanings
made out of sound. While composers and instrumentalists clearly exhibit this
intelligence, so do the students who seem particularly attracted by the birds singing
outside the classroom window or who constantly tap out intricate rhythms on the desk
with their pencils.
Logical-mathematical intelligence enables individuals to use and appreciate abstract
relations. Scientists, mathematicians, and philosophers all rely on this intelligence. So
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do the students who "live" baseball statistics or who carefully analyze the components
of problems--either personal or school-related--before systematically testing solutions.
Spatial intelligence makes it possible for people to perceive visual or spatial
information, to transform this information, and to recreate visual images from memory.
Well-developed spatial capacities are needed for the work of architects, sculptors, and
engineers. The students who turn first to the graphs, charts, and pictures in their
textbooks, who like to "web" their ideas before writing a paper, and who fill the blank
space around their notes with intricate patterns are also using their spatial intelligence.
While usually tied to the visual modality, spatial intelligence can also be exercised to a
high level by individuals who are visually impaired.
Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence allows individuals to use all or part of the body to
create products or solve problems. Athletes, surgeons, dancers, choreographers, and
crafts people all use bodily-kinesthetic intelligence. The capacity is also evident in
students who relish gym class and school dances, who prefer to carry out class projects
by making models rather than writing reports, and who toss crumbled paper with
frequency and accuracy into wastebaskets across the room.
Interpersonal intelligence enables individuals to recognize and make distinctions
about others' feelings and intentions. Teachers, parents, politicians, psychologists and
salespeople rely on interpersonal intelligence. Students exhibit this intelligence when
they thrive on small-group work, when they notice and react to the moods of their
friends and classmates, and when they tactfully convince the teacher of their need for
extra time to complete the homework assignment.
Intrapersonal intelligence helps individuals to distinguish among their own feelings, to
build accurate mental models of themselves, and to draw on these models to make
decisions about their lives. Although it is difficult to assess who has this capacity and to
what degree, evidence can be sought in students' uses of their other intelligences--how
well they seem to be capitalizing on their strengths, how cognizant they are of their
weaknesses, and how thoughtful they are about the decisions and choices they make.
Naturalist intelligence allows people to distinguish among, classify, and use features
of the environment. Farmers, gardeners, botanists, geologists, florists, and
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archaeologists all exhibit this intelligence, as do students who can name and describe
the features of every make of car around them.
In a recent article, "Are there additional intelligences?" Gardner examined
two more candidate intelligences, naturalist, and spiritual, but ended up rejecting
spiritual--at least for now--because it does not meet the eight criteria named earlier. He
is still amassing evidence for other suggested intelligences. For example, existential
intelligence--manifest in somebody who is concerned with fundamental questions of
existence--does not, as yet, seem to meet all criteria. If decisions about intelligences are
to be taken seriously, Gardner believes, they must depend upon examination of the
available data. So at this point, one might say that the existential intelligence is the
"half" in the 8-1/2 intelligences.
From the Wikipedia (2009) readings, it has been cited that Dr. Howard
Gardner, a psychologist and professor from Harvard University, developed Multiple
Intelligences Theory (MI) in 1983. His theory is an important contribution to educational
practices and reform movements around the world. It challenges the traditional view of
“IQ” and enables educators to take a renewed look at our views about learning and
development. In the book Frames of Mind, Gardner questioned the validity of “IQ” score
in deciding human intelligence because IQ tests only measures one's ability to handle
academic subjects, and it predicts little of success in later life. He proposed that there
are at least seven basic intelligences ((1) Visual/Spatial Intelligence, (2) Musical
Intelligence, (3) Verbal/Linguistic Intelligence, (4) Logical/Mathematical Intelligence, (5)
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choices in the ways they will learn and demonstrate their learning. By focusing on
problem-solving activities that draw on multiple intelligences, these teaching strategies
encourage learners to build on existing strengths and knowledge to learn new content
and skills. To their end, the implementation of the MI theory in the English language
teaching at the University of Niš Medical School offers a better understanding of
students’ learning preferences and a greater appreciation of their strengths. Students
likely become more engaged in learning as they use learning modules that match their
intelligence strengths that, in addition, increase students’ engagement and success in
learning.
if they are not the traditional intelligences—will develop a more positive attitude toward
school. Many educators have argued that MI improves students' attitudes (Campbell,
1997; Campbell, & Dickinson, 1992; Smagorinsky, 1991, 1995a, 1995b, & 1996), but
they have not supported their arguments with research. For example, Campbell et al.
say that some of the by-products of MI include better attitudes, fewer behavior
problems, improved self-concept, development of cooperation and leadership skills, and
development of a love of learning. According to these educators, MI has an impact on
the whole person (Campbell et al.). If the whole student is considered, other areas,
including attitude and academics, also improve (Campbell et al.). According to
Smerechansky-Metzger (1995), MI ultimately becomes a motivational tool which
supplies the self confidence required to achieve academic success.
Mettetal, Jordan, and Harper (1997) investigated the impact of a MI
curriculum in an elementary school. They used observation and survey for data
collection. On the basis of their analyses of the data, three themes emerged “(a)
students, teachers, and parents were very positive about the concept of multiple
intelligences; (b) they were positive about school-wide implementation, including flow
time, activity room, and enrichment clusters; and (c)classroom implementation of MI
concepts was uneven across classrooms” (p. 115). The researchers highlighted the
importance of MI in changing the attitudes of both teachers and students.
Kornhaber (2000) investigated three alternative assessments for identifying
students who are different in terms of their gift. Each of these assessments was based
on the MI theory. Qualitative data were collected and it was found that “no assessment
criteria; each met a different subset of the eight” (p. 143). Kornhaber concluded that
enhancing equity for under-served students is a very important goal.
Supon (2000) explained the use of the MI theory and rubric design to
evaluate student learning. The utilization of ‘how’ various assessment procedures can
be used in the K-12 classroom as well as means to access quality results by preparing
teacher-created rubrics is discussed. It is argued that weaving the MI into a rubric
design provides the teachers with challenging and rewarding tools for assessing
learners’ performance.
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Research Paradigm
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Multiple intelligences
- Linguistic
- Logical-mathematical
- Musical
- Spatial
- Bodily-kinesthetic
- Interpersonal English performance
- Intrapersonal
- Naturalist
Fig 1: Multiple intelligences and English performance of the first year college students
Definition of Term
- Multiple Intelligences refers to varied abilities of learning English among students
- English performance refers to the reflection of the matter and learning of the students
- Linguistic refers to the ability to use language
- Musical refers to the ability to create, perform, and appreciate music
- Logical-mathematical refers to the use of logical methods and to solve mathematical
problems
- Spatial is to use and manipulate space
- Bodily-kinesthetic refers to the ability to use one’s body
- Interpersonal refers to the ability to understand others’ needs, intentions, and
motivations
- Intrapersonal refers to the ability to understand one’s own motivations and emotions
- Naturalist refers to the ability to recognize, identify, and classify objects
Chapter 3
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This chapter presents the locale of the study, research design, population
and sampling, research instrumentation, date gathering procedure and the statistical
treatment applied in conducting study.
Locale of the study
This study will be conducted at Phu Tho Pharmaceutical College in Viet Tri City where
the researcher is a full-time faculty member.
Research Design
This study will use descriptive method because it involves multiple intelligence
categories to measure and motivate English performance among students.
Population
The researcher will use 80 respondents, 50 females and 30 males in the study since
this is the only class handled by the researcher. All of his students are included as the
research respondents.
Research instrumentation
The researcher will use a questionnaire on multiple intelligences and English grade will
be the English performance.
Data Gathering Procedure
A letter will be sent to the Principal of Phu Tho Pharmaceutical College by the
researcher to ask for his permission. Upon approval, the researcher will administer the
questionnaire on multiple intelligences, retrieve the questionnaire. The instrument will
be analyzed, tabulated and interpreted and statistically treated.
Statistical Treatment
Pearson r will be applied to calculate between the multiple intelligences and English
performance.